YELLOW BRICK ROAD MUSIC

I left for Atlanta a week ago, and when I came back, it was September. The start of a new month means it’s time to look over my favorites from last month. I keep a list of the items and ideas I’ve loved in entertainment, technology, food, and music education. I share them all with you in the hopes that you’ll discover something new to entertain or inform in the month ahead.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

If you follow me on Instagram, then you already know that my favorite event this month was Dragon Con. Dragon Con is a fan-led convention featuring pop culture, sci-fi, and fantasy. This year there were about 80,000 in attendance, half of which were dressed in costume. More importantly, they raised at least $85,000 for their official charity this year, Literacy Action Inc. If you want to see more, be sure to check out my Dragon Con 2018 highlights story on Instagram.

My husband and I always have a running list of TV shows we’re working on getting through, so it’s difficult to choose just one for the month. So…I won’t! Here’s the list of shows we’re inching our way through: Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, The Great British Baking Show, Explained, The Good Place, iZombie, and My Hero Academia (anime).

TECHNOLOGY

Due to Dragon Con being in “Hotlanta”, we purchased two handheld fans in anticipation of standing in long lines outside. The Opolar misting fan was amazing. If classroom temps make you feel like you’re standing on the surface of the sun, then you should definitely check them out.

 

FOOD & DRINK

My attempt at healthy eating often comes in the form of this chickpea salad. I never get tired of it. It’s extremely easy and quick to put together, and would be great to keep in the staff lounge fridge for a quick lunch. There are hundreds of variations of this salad online, but here’s my easy version: Throw together chickpeas, chopped cucumbers, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. Pour on some form of oil and vinegar dressing or your favorite Italian dressing (I like Briannas Real French Vinaigrette) on top and mix it all together. I’ve also seen recipes which add red onions, chives, and olives. It all depends on your personal taste.

 

MUSIC EDUCATION

I bought an ocarina at Dragon Con, and I’ve been in love ever since. They were displayed at a vendor booth, and the host said I could play one. So naturally I spent the next several minutes doing just that! I ended up purchasing a plastic, 12-hole version. It has a nice weight to it, the fingering is straightforward, and the tone is beautiful. In fact, you can expect some more blog posts about this instrument in the coming months. I also plan on using it for my Drop the Needle Game over on Instastories.

Last but not least, I’m thrilled to be working on additions and updates to my Music History Quick Guide Bundle. I started working on the Baroque Period updates first, and I’ll let you know via social media as soon as its finished. In the meantime, be sure to stay up to date on all of my projects and download free resources through my monthly newsletter HERE.